Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conducted a surprise inspection at Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital, emphasizing the need to enhance medicine availability, sanitation, and seating for senior citizens in the waiting area. The inspection uncovered issues such as doctor shortages, OPD overcrowding, and deficiencies in the appointment and token systems.
During the visit, elderly patients reported waiting in queues since early morning without receiving attention. Expressing strong dissatisfaction, Gupta criticized the hospital administration, deeming the situation “completely unacceptable.” She instructed officials to promptly address seating arrangements and establish an efficient token system to reduce patient waiting times.
Touring various hospital departments, including the OPD, wards, and pharmacy counters, the Chief Minister interacted with patients directly to gather feedback on the hospital’s operations. Despite the availability of online booking, patients still faced long queues, prompting Gupta to demand better coordination between online and offline systems to minimize delays.
Pulling up officials, Gupta emphasized the importance of integrating systems to streamline patient services and reduce waiting times. She highlighted the need for quality treatment amid the high patient volume, particularly in the orthopaedics department. Additionally, she addressed concerns raised by patients regarding medicine shortages, instructing immediate checks on stock registers and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on medication deficiencies.
Patients also raised issues concerning sanitation, water supply, and essential amenities. Gupta reprimanded officials for neglecting complaints about unhygienic conditions and dysfunctional facilities, stressing that cleanliness, medicine availability, and basic services must meet standards without compromise.
